Hemp News - HB 325http://crrh.org/news/taxonomy/term/10956/0
enTexas: House Committee Takes Up 3 Bills On Marijuana Reformhttp://crrh.org/news/node/5115
<p>By Steve Elliott<br />
Hemp News</p>
<p>Three bills taking different approaches to reforming marijuana laws in Texas got a hearing before the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence last week.</p>
<p>Supporters packed the only committee hearing scheduled on the bills in either chamber, reports Stanton Brashier at the <i><a href="http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2015/04/texas_house_committee_takes_up_three_bills_on_marijuana_reform_dont_expect_much_else.php">Dallas Observer</a></i>. Other hearings this session are seen as unlikely.</p>
<p>The first two bills, HB 325 and HB 414, would reduce possession about about nine grams of marijuana -- 0.35 ounces -- to a class C misdemeanor from its current status as a class B misdemeanor. They'd also drop possession of two ounces to a class B misdemeanor and under four ounces to a class A misdemeanor. These bills are backed by Reps. Harold Dutton Jr., and Gene Wu, respectively, both of Houston.</p>
<p>HB 507, from Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso, would reduce penalties for possession of less than an ounce of cannabis to a $100 fine and no jail time. "As a lawmaker, I have a responsibility to make sure we're spending our resources wisely and treating our people fairly," Moody said. "That's what HB 507 is about."</p>
<p>HB 2165, from Rep. David Simpson of Tyler, would effectively legalize marijuana with little regulation, "like tomatoes or jalapenos." Shaun McAlister, director of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said this one could be a stepping stone to more reform.</p>
<p><a href="http://crrh.org/news/node/5115" target="_blank">read more</a></p>2015david simpsonDFW NORMLgene wuharold dutton jrHB 325HB 3785HB 414HB 507HB 837house committee on criminal jurisprudencejoe moodyPoliticalSB 1417shaun mcalisterstanton brashierTexastexas houseunfair parkMon, 13 Apr 2015 19:46:31 +0000steveelliott5115 at http://crrh.org/news